Loading machine



Oseooo LOADING MACHINE Filed D90. 15, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 V I/l v d C. F. OSGOOD LOADING MACHINE July 17, 1934.

Filed Dec. 15, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 AM. 10-m- HTT'K y 7, 1934. c. F. OSGOOD 1,966,459

LOADING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mlm mw m AM; 4- Wm Patented July 17, 1934 UNITED STATES LOADING MACHINE Charles F. Osgood, Claremont, N. 11., asslgnor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 15, 1936, Serial No. 502,446

14 Claim.

This invention relates to loading machines, and more particularly to improvements in the gathering mechanisms of machines for loading coal or similar loose material.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved loading machine. Another oiu'ect is to provide an improved material gathering mechanism for a loading machine. A further object is to provide an improved material gathering mechanism for a loading machine of the type wherein a shovel is employed and having improved gathering devices mounted at opposite sides of the shovel for moving the material to be gathered onto the conveying means. Still another object is to provide an improved gathering mechanism wherein a pair of sweeper devices are mounted at opposite sides of the gathering conveyor for gathering the material to be loaded and moving the same onto the conveying means. A further object is to provide improved gathering mechanism wherein a pair of sweeper devices having orbitally movable gathering elements are arranged at opposite sides of the conveying means for gathering the material to be loaded and moving the same onto the conveying means and including mechanism for simultaneously orbitally moving the gathering elements thereof and continuously swinging the sweeper devices back and forth relative to the conveying means during the loading operation. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear in the course of the following description, and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration three forms which. the invention may assume in practice. In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a coal loading machine having embodied therein one illustrative form of the improved gathering mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the gathering mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view 'of the gathering mechanism shown in Fig. 2; parts being shown in vertical section to illustrate structural details;

Flg. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating a modified form of gathering mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a detail sectional view: taken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 2 showing a further modified form of gathering mechanism.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the improved gathering mechanism is shown embodied in a coal loading machine generally comprising a. base frame I mounted on and propelled by endless traction treads 2 although if desired the frame may be supported on truck wheels adapted to run along a mine track. Supported on the base frame 1 is an upper frame 3 having pivotally mounted thereon at 4 a shovel 5. Guided on the shovel 5 and frame 3 is a usual endless gathering elevating conveyor 6 which discharges at its rear end on a usual rear discharge conveyor 7. The discharge conveyor 7 is pivotally mounted on the rear portion of the base frame 1 to swing horizontally about a vertical axis and is provided with a vertically adjustable rear end portion 8, pivoted to tilt about a horizontal axis at 9 on a non-tiltable portion 10 as is usual in machines of the type disclosed. Carried within the base frame 1 is a motor (not shown) which drives, through any suitable mechanism, the front gathering conveyor 6, therear discharge conveyor 7 and the traction treads 2. As is usual in machines of this general character, the shovel 5 is swingable in a vertical direction about its pivot 4 by means of suitable power devices, herein in the form of a hydraulic ram 11. It will be understood that the type of loading machine disclosed herein is merely for illustrative purposes and that the improved gathering mechanism may be embodied in loading machines of various other types.

Now referring to the illustrative form of the improved gathering mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be noted that the shovel 5, when in loading position, has a widely extended plane surface 12 disposed in an inclined position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. The forward end of the shovel is provided at 13 with a surface which rides over the floor of the mine. Arranged centrally on the shovel 5 and extending longitudinally thereof is the gathering conveyor 6, herein of the scraper type comprising endless side chains 14 arranged in suitable guideways 15 formed on the shovel and having transverse scraper bars 16 connected to the side chains and driven thereby in a well lmown manner. The front conveyor is arranged within a longitudinally extending chamber 17 formed shovel.

in the shovel as shown in Fig. 3 so that the plane surface 12 of the shovel is substantially in the plane of the conveyor. Mounted at opposite sides of the forward end of the gathering conveyor 5 at the opposite sides of the shovel is a pair of gathering devices 18 and 19 herein comprising pivoted sweeper devices for gathering the material from the mine floor and moving the same onto the gathering conveyor 6. These sweeper devices are mounted on the shovel to move in planes parallel to the in clined plane surface 12 and in substantially the plane of the conveyor as shown in Fig. 4, and herein each comprises a bar or guide frame 20 having formed about its margin a guide channel 21 for an endless chain 22. The chain 22 is provided with blocks 23 having sockets 24 which receive gathering elements 25, these gathering elements being provided with shanks insertable in the sockets 24 and held therein by set screws e gathering elements are in the form of er'sk-having bottom surfaces 27 moving in planessubstantially parallel with and closely adjacent to the inclined plane surface 12 of the As shown in Fig. 4, the chain 22 is guided at the rear end of the bar 20 by an idler sprocket 28; while arranged at the forward end of the bar is a sprocket 29 which engages and drives the chain 22. The forward end of the bar 20 is provided with a depending bearing member or hub 30 which is journaled in a depending bearing sleeve 31 positioned within a hub formed on a flat circular disc 32, herein journaled at 33 on the shovel. The top plane surface 34 of this disc is substantially flush with the inclined plane surface 12 of the shovel, as shown in Fig. 3. Now referring to the devices for rotating the disc 32, and for circulating the gathering chain 22 about the margin of the gathering bar 20, it will be observed that arranged horizontally on the 'shovel and journaled thereon in bearings 35 is a shaft 36 herein, as shown in Fig. 3, extending transversely between the top and bottom flights of the gathering conveyor 6. Secured to this shaft adjacent the opposite ends thereof are sprockets 3'7 which are engaged and driven by the endless side chains 14 of the gathering conveyor 6. It will therefore be seen as the gathering conveyor is rapidly circulated in its guides, the shaft 36 is simultaneously driven.

Now referring more particularly to the driving means for the gathering mechanism 18, it will be noted that fixed tothe shaft 36 is a bevel pinion 38 which meshes with a bevel gear 39, herein suitably journaled on a bearing sleeve 40 supported by a shaft 41. Also journaled on the shaft 41, at 42, is the rotating disc 32. Rotatable with and driven by the bevel gear 39 is a spur gear 43 meshing with a spur planet gear 44 fixed to a shaft 45, herein arranged parallel with the shaft 41 and having its axis extending centrally through the bearing sleeve 30 on the forward end of the bar 20, as shown in Fig. 3. Fixed arhacent the opposite end of this shaft 45 is the sprocket 29 which engages and drives the gathering chain 22. The bevel pinion 38 also meshes with a bevel gear 46 herein formed integral with the circular disc 32. The devices for driving the gathering mechanism 19 at the opposite side of the shovel are identical to the driving devices for the gathering mechanism 18, and herein comprise a bevel pinion 4'7 fixed tothe opposite end of the shaft 36 and meshing with and driving bevel gear 48 which in turn drives a spur pinion 49 meshing with a spur planet gear 50. The gear 50 is fixed to a shaft 51, similar to the shaft 45 above referred to, and fixed to this shaft is a sprocket 52 which engages and drives the gathering chain of the gathering mechanism 19. The bevel pinion 47 also meshes with and drives a bevel gear formed on the circular rotating disc 53 similar to the disc 32. Obviously, by varying the ratio of the gears 43, 44 and 49, 50, the speed of orbital movement of the gathering chains 22 may be fixed as desired. The rear ends of the gathering bars 20 of the gathering mechanisms 18 and 19 are each mounted on the shovel" for sliding movement as the gathering bars are oscillated back and forth across the shovel, and to permit this sliding movement each of the gathering bars is provided with a stud 54 pivotally supporting a guide block 55 slidably guided in a longitudinal guideway 56 formed on the shovel 5 and this sliding guide block and guideway form a guide for the rear end of the bar as it moves back and forth during oscillation thereof. It will thus be seen that as the shaft 36 is rotated, the discs 32 and 53 of the gathering mechanisms are simultaneously driven in opposite directions thereby causing the shafts 45 and 51 to be moved orbitally about the axes of the discs at the same time as the gathering chains are circulated in their guides about the margins of the gathering bars, and as a result the gathering bars have imparted thereto not only a back and forth sweeping movement, but also a forward and rearward oscillatory movement. Therefore, it will be evident that the gathering chains. of the gathering mechanisms move not only in their orbits, but are also moved bodily back and forth toward and from the gathering conveyor and by a rearward sweeping motion above the conveyor. It will thus be seen that each gathering element 25 of the gathering chain has imparted thereto a forward movement, a lateral oscillatory movement and a rearward sweeping movement; and upon engagement with the material to be loaded,'moves the same inwardly onto the shovel and rearwardly onto the gathering conveyor. It will be evident that the driving of the gears 39 and 48 might be omitted, and that by enlarging, if desired,'the gears 43 and 49 and merely holding them stationary while the gears 44 and 50, reduced in diameter, if desired, revolve around them while in mesh with them, orbital as. well as oscillatory movement by the gathering chains would still be obtained.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive, there is shown a pair of gathering mechanisms herein in the form of pivoted sweeper devices 60 and 61 continuously swingable about fixed pivots at 62 back and forth at the opposite sides of the shovel 5 in planes parallel with the inclined plane surface 12 of the shovel. In this form of the invention the gathering devices each comprise a gathering bar 63 having formed thereon at its rear end, as shown in Fig. 6, a depending bearing sleeve 64 journaled in a bearing sleeve 65 formed on a plate 66 secured to the shovel and having its top surface 67 flush with the inclined plane surface 12 of the shovel. The bar 63 has provided about its margin a guide channel 68 in which is guided an endless gathering chain 69 similar to the gathering chains in the form of the invention described above. The devices for circulating the gathering chain within its herein extending centrally through the bearing sleeve 64 on the bar. Secured to the other end of this shaft is a sprocket 77 which engages-and drives the gathering chain 69.

The devices for swinging the bar 63 back and forth about its pivot herein, as shown in Fig. 7, comprise a shaft 78 having sprockets 79 enng and driven by the side chains of the gathering conveyor fi. Fixed to this shaft is a bevel pinion meshing with and driving a bevel gear 81. v The gear 81 has rotatable therewith and drives a spur gear 82 in turn meshing with a large spur gear 83 fixed to a shaft 84. Also fixed to this shaft is a hub 85 of a crank 86.- This crank is provided with 8. depending bearing sleeve 87 journaled in a bearing sleeve 88 carried by a plate 89 secured to the shovel. Secured to the outer end of the crank 86 is a stud 90 having pivotally mounted thereon a guide block 91 slidably mounted in a longitudinal guideway 92 formed in the bar 63. It will thus be seen that as the gathering conveyor 6 is circulated in its guides, the shafts 70 and 78 are simultaneously rotated. As the shaft 70 is rotated it drives through the gearing 72, 73, 74 and 75, the gathering chain 69 thereby circulating the latter in its guide about the margin of the bar 63. At the same time the crank 86 is rotated by the shaft 78 through the gearing 80, 81, 82, and 83, thereby causing the guide block 91 to move back and forth in its guideway 92 on the bar and as a result swinging the bar back and forth toward and from the gathering conveyor 6. It is thus evident that the gathering chains 69, moving in their orbits in engagement with material to the loaded, move the material onto the shovel and the gathering bars 63, moving back and forth about their axes, cause the material to be moved inwardly and rearwardly onto the gathering conveyor 6.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 8, there is provided in place of the gathering bar with the circulating gathering chain, a rotating gathering disc 93 of circular form hav ing mounted in a suitable manner at its outer periphery gathering fingers 94. This gathering disc is mounted eccentrically on a rotating disc 95 similar to the rotating disc 32 in such manner that, as the gathering disc 93 is rotated about its, own axis, it is-simultaneously moved in an orbit about the axis of the rotating disc 95. The disc 95 and the gathering disc 93 are driven from the gathering conveyor 6 through connections substantially identical to those shown in Fig. 3 of the first '-form of the invention, the gear train 38, 39, 43, Pi-constituting the drive for rotating the gathering disc 93 while the bevel gearing 38, 46 constitutes the driving means for the rotating disc 95. Instead of the sprocket 29 driving .the gathering chain the gathering disc 93 is keyed directly to the shaft 45. Therefore, it is thought that a detail de scription of this driving mechanism is unnecessary. It will thus be seen that as the gathering discs 93 are rotated, they engage the material to be loaded and upon orbital movement of the gathering discs about the axes of the 95,

the material is moved inwardly onto the shovel and rearwardly onto the gathering conveyor.

Obviously the foremost positions assumed by the extremities of the gathering devices may be regulated as desired in the design of the mechanism so that their paths may be wholly within the border of the shovel plate, or extend somewhat in advance of the latter if desired.

It will be understood that the devices for driving the gathering mechanisms. are for illustrative purposes only, and that various mechanisms may be employed to drive the same, and that the rates of drive may be variedto suit different operating conditions. As the mode of use of a coal loading machine of the general type disclosed is well known to. those skilled in the art, a description of the general mode of operation thereof is thought to be unnecessary other than to state that as the loading machine is fed forwardly towards the material to be loaded. the gathering mechanisms sweep the loose material onto the gathering conveyor. These ahtl other uses and advantages of the improvbd loading machine will be clearly apparentt'o' those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described three forms which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. In a loading machine, the combination with a shovel and conveying means extending toward the forward edge of the shovel, of gathering means for moving the material to be loaded onto the conveying means including a pair of pivoted sweeper devices mounted on the shovel at opposite sides of the conveying means, each including a swingable support, a sweeper element carried by said swingable support and movable relative thereto 'ina closed orbit, means for effecting such orbital movement, and means for automatically alternately swinging said support in opposite directions during orbital movement of said sweeper element on said support to constantly vary the space relation of said orbit relative to said conveying means, said sweeper devices swinging continuously back and. forth toward and from the conveying means during the loading operation.

I 2. In a loading machine, the combination with a shovel and conveying means extending toward the forward edge of the shovel, of gathering means for moving the material to be loaded onto the conveying means including a pair of pivoted sweeper devices mounted on the shovel for swinging movement in substantially the plane of the conveying means, each inbluding a swingable support, a sweeper element carried by said 'swingable support and movable relative thereto in a closed orbit, means for effecting such orbital movement, and means for automatically alternately swinging said support in opposite directions during orbital movement of said sweeper element on said support to constantly vary the space'relation of said orbit relative to said con a shovel and conveying means extending toward the forward edge of the shovel, of gathering means for moving the material to be loaded onto the conveying means including a pair of pivoted gathering bars pivotally mounted on the shovel at opposite sides of the conveying means, each including a swingable support, a gathering element carried by said swingable support and movable relative thereto in a closed orbit, means for effecting such orbital movement, and means for automatically alternately swinging said support in opposite directions during orbital movement of said gathering element on said support to constantly vary the space relation of said orbit relative to said conveying means, said gathering bars swinging continuously back and forth toward and from the conveying means during the loading operation.

4. In a loading machine, the combination with a shovel and conveying means extending toward the forward edge of the shovel, of 'thering means for movingthe material to ,loaded onto the conveying means includ ng a pair of gathering devices pivotally mounted on the shovel at opposite sides of the conveying means, each including a pivoted gathering bar, gathering elements carried by said gathering bar and movable relative thereto in a closed orbit, means for eflecting such orbital movement, and means for automatically alternately moving said gathering bar in opposite directions during orbital movement of said gathering elements on said bar to constantly vary the space relation of said orbit relative to said conveying means, said gathering devices swinging continuously back and forth toward and from the conveying means during the laoding operation.

5. In a loading machine, the combination with a shovel and conveying means extending toward the forward edge of the shovel, of gathering means for moving the material to be loaded onto the conveying means including a pair of gathering devices pivotally mounted on the shovel at opposite sides of the conveying means, each including a pivoted gathering bar, gathering elements carried by said gathering bar and movable relative thereto in a closed orbit, means for efiecting such orbital movement, and means for automatically alternately moving said gathering bar in opposite directions during orbital movement of said gathering devices on said bar to constantly vary the space relation of said orbit relative to said conveying means, said gathering devices swinging continuously back and forth toward and from the conveying means during the loading operation and said orbitally movable gathering elements of each of said gathering devices sweeping over the conveying means during such swinging movement of said bars.

6. In a loading machine, the combination with a shovel and conveying means extending towards the forward edge of the shovel, of gathering means for moving the material to be loaded onto the conveying means including a pair of movably mounted gathering bars each having orbitally movable gathering devices guided thereon for circulation thereabout and movably mounted on the shovel at opposite sides of the conveying means, means for effecting continuous circulation of said gathering devices during the loading operation, and means continuously moving said bars bodily back and forth lengthwise of the conveying means and simultaneously moving the conveying means including a pair of pivoted T gathering bars each having orbitally movable gathering devices guided thereon for circulation thereabout and pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the conveying means, devices to which saidpivoted gathering bars are pivotally connected supported for movement in predetermined paths, devices for effecting circulation of said orbitally moving gathering devices during the loading operation, and devices continuously moving said bars back and forth towards and from the conveying means and bodily lengthwise of the latter during loading operation, the orbitally movable gathering devices of each of the gathering bars sweeping over the conveying means during swinging movement of said bars.

8. In a loading machine, the combination with conveying means, of gathering means for moving the material to be loaded onto the conveying means including a pair of movably mounted sweeper devices each carrying orbitally movable material gathering devices guidedthereon for circulation thereabout and arranged at opposite sides of the forward end of the conveying means, means for effecting circulation of said material gathering devices, and means imparting continuously to said sweeper devices movement toward and from the conveying means during the loading operation.

9. In a loading machine, the combination with conveying means, of gathering means for moving the material to be loaded onto the conveying means including a pair of movably mounted sweeper devices each carrying orbitally movable material gathering devices guided thereon for circulation thereabout and arranged at opposite sides of the forward end of the conveying means, means for effecting circulation of said material gathering devices, and means imparting continuously to said sweeper devices movement toward and from the conveying means during the loading operation and the said gathering devices sweeping over the conveying means during such movement.

10. In a loading machine, the combination with a shovel and conveying means extending toward the forward edge of the shovel, of gathering means for moving the material to be loaded onto the conveying means including at opposite sides of said conveying means orbitally movable gathering devices having means for guiding and moving the same in closed orbits, and means continuously effecting, during the loading operation, movement of said gathering devices between positions in which said orbits respectively partially overlie said conveying means and are spaced wholly laterally from said conveying means.

11. A loading machine of the character defined in claim 10 in which the orbitally movable gath ering devices having means for guiding and moving the same in closed orbits are in the form of series of gathering elements supported on rotatable discs and have means provided for eil'ect ing rotation of said discs on their axes.

12. In a loading I machine, the combination with a shovel and conveying means extending assassa and having means for eiiecting rotation thereof to move said gathering elements in closed circular orbits, and means continuously effecting, during the loading operation, movement oi said discs bodily oppositely in circular orbits to bring the orbits of said gathering devices alternately into overlapping relationship with said conveying means and into positions wholly laterally spaced from the latter.

13. In a loading machine, in combination, conveying means, and gathering means for moving material to be loaded onto the conveying means, including a pair of movably-mounted gathering devices arranged at opposite sides of the forward end of the conveying means, and means for eiiecting simultaneously movement oi each of said gathering devices including means associated with each device predetermining a path 01! orbital movement of such device with respect thereto and, during the gathering operation.

continuously eilecting such orbital movement, and means altering the position of said pathpredetermining means substantially continuously during gathering to effect a resultant movement of said gathering device in a composite closed path alternately approaching and receding from the locus 01' the orbit oi. the device at the opposite side of said gathering means.

14. In a loading machine, in combination, conveying means, and gatheringmeans for moving material to be loaded onto the conveying means including. at each side of said conveying means, at least one orbitally movable gathering device having means for guiding and moving the same in a closed orbit which is the resultant of movement of said device in a smaller closed orbit and concurrent movement oi said last mentioned orbit, including means effecting continuous movement or said device in the smaller, closed orbit during the loading operation. and means continuously eflecting, during the loading operation, variation in the distance 0! said smaller orbit from the central plane oi movement 0! said conveying means.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD. 

